Hockey – Brandon Sun

Spokane Chiefs defenceman Nolan Saunderson of Carberry celebrates his second career Western Hockey League goal after he scored after the Regina Pats on Nov. 19 at Numerica Veterans Arena. (Larry Brunt/Spokane Chiefs) Nov. 25, 2025

WHL NOTEBOOK: Saunderson elevates game in WHL

By Perry Bergson 11 minute read Yesterday at 11:38 PM CST

Nolan Saunderson hasn’t forgotten how far he’s come, and how quickly.

The 17-year-old Carberry defenceman is in his rookie season in the Western Hockey League, patrolling the blue-line for the Spokane Chiefs.

“It’s kind of hard to even put into words,” Saunderson said. “I was a little kid going to (Brandon) Wheat Kings games not too long ago, and now I’m playing in the same league, so it’s been pretty crazy.”

The six-foot, 177-pound defenceman had ample opportunity to get to Wheat Kings games because he moved to the city from Carberry to attend the Western Canada Hockey Academy for the 2021-22 season. That also meant he moved out of Southwest Cougars territory into Wheat Kings territory, which was certainly fortuitous from a winning perspective.

Advertise With Us

Weather

Nov. 26, 12 AM: -4°c Cloudy Nov. 26, 6 AM: -7°c Clear

Brandon MB

-2°C, Cloudy

Full Forecast

U18 AAA WEEKLY ROUNDUP: Wheaties sweep Thistles

5 minute read Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025

BOYS

BRANDON WHEAT KINGS

The Wheat Kings (13-6-0-1), who are tied for third place with the Winnipeg Bruins, swept the 13th-place Kenora Thistles (0-17-0-0) at Moncrief Construction Sports Centre in the Manitoba U18 AAA Hockey League over the weekend.

On Sunday, Jaxson Brick, Hudson Champagne, Matthew Dupuis, Reid Nicol and Max Dawson scored in a 5-1 Brandon victory.

‘We need to play better in front him’: Jets lament effort in front of Comrie in loss

Judy Owen, The Canadian Press 4 minute read Preview

‘We need to play better in front him’: Jets lament effort in front of Comrie in loss

Judy Owen, The Canadian Press 4 minute read Friday, Nov. 21, 2025

WINNIPEG - When Eric Comrie got scored on 16 seconds into Friday's game against the Carolina Hurricanes, Jets head coach Scott Arniel wasn't upset.

Comrie was replacing star netminder Connor Hellebuyck, whom the team said Friday was undergoing arthroscopic surgery for a knee problem dating back to training camp. He's expected to be out four to six weeks.

The former backup made 24 saves in the 4-3 loss to the Hurricanes.

“Obviously, we got caught right off the bat there on a transition play,” Arniel said. “Yeah, I felt for him right away but then he settled in.

Read

Friday, Nov. 21, 2025

Carolina Hurricanes' Eric Robinson (50) chases Winnipeg Jets' Logan Stanley (64) as goaltender Eric Comrie (1) looks on during first period NHL action in Winnipeg on Friday, November 21, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods

Montreal Canadiens recall Florian Xhekaj, Arber’s brother, from AHL Laval

The Canadian Press 1 minute read Preview

Montreal Canadiens recall Florian Xhekaj, Arber’s brother, from AHL Laval

The Canadian Press 1 minute read Friday, Nov. 21, 2025

MONTREAL - The Montreal Canadiens recalled forward Florian Xhekaj, the younger brother of bruising defenceman Arber Xhekaj, from the American Hockey League's Laval Rocket on Friday.

Florian Xhekaj, a six-foot-four, 204-pound winger, has two goals and two assists in 16 AHL games this season.

The 21-year-old from Hamilton impressed with 24 goals and 11 assists in 69 games for the Rocket in 2024-25.

Xhekaj could make his NHL debut Saturday at home against the Toronto Maple Leafs as the slumping Canadiens (10-7-3) look to snap a five-game skid.

Read

Friday, Nov. 21, 2025

Montreal Canadiens' Florian Xhekaj skates before during first period NHL hockey Prospect Showdown action against the Toronto Maple Leafs in Montreal, Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes

Flames rookie Honzek out six months after surgery for upper-body injury

The Canadian Press 1 minute read Preview

Flames rookie Honzek out six months after surgery for upper-body injury

The Canadian Press 1 minute read Friday, Nov. 21, 2025

CALGARY - Calgary Flames rookie Sam Honzek will miss six months after undergoing surgery for an upper-body injury, head coach Ryan Huska said Friday.

Huska said Honzek had the procedure Thursday. The recovery time means Honzek is unlikely to return this season.

The 21-year-old winger was injured when he collided with Flames captain Mikael Backlund in the second period a game last Saturday against the Winnipeg Jets.

Backlund was carrying the puck through the neutral zone when he ran into Honzek, who left the game after the incident.

Read

Friday, Nov. 21, 2025

Calgary Flames' Blake Coleman, centre, celebrates his goal with teammates Sam Honzek, left, and Mikael Backlund during second period NHL hockey action against the San Jose Sharks in Calgary on Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

Matthews and Knies ‘doubtful’ for Maple Leafs’ matchup against Canadiens on Saturday

The Canadian Press 2 minute read Preview

Matthews and Knies ‘doubtful’ for Maple Leafs’ matchup against Canadiens on Saturday

The Canadian Press 2 minute read Friday, Nov. 21, 2025

TORONTO - Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube doesn't expect reinforcements in time for the weekend.

Toronto's head coach told reporters following the team's practice Friday that captain Auston Matthews and fellow top-line forward Matthew Knies are "doubtful" for Saturday night's Original Six matchup in Montreal against the Canadiens.

Matthews took part in Thursday's morning skate and was on the ice Friday a fourth straight day after suffering a lower-body injury Nov. 11 against the Boston Bruins. Knies, meanwhile, skated with the team for the first time since being a late scratch Tuesday in a 3-2 overtime victory against the St. Louis Blues because of a lower-body injury.

The Leafs got veteran centre Scott Laughton (upper body) back for Thursday's 3-2 OT loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets, but along with Matthews and Knies, the club is still minus defencemen Chris Tanev (upper body) and Brandon Carlo (lower body), forward Nicolas Roy (upper body) and goaltender Anthony Stolarz (upper body).

Read

Friday, Nov. 21, 2025

Maple Leafs winger Matthew Knies (23) breaks away from Seattle Kraken defenceman Jamie Oleksiak (24) in Toronto on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sammy Kogan

Jets goalie Hellebuyck out 4-6 weeks to undergo arthroscopic knee surgery

The Canadian Press 2 minute read Preview

Jets goalie Hellebuyck out 4-6 weeks to undergo arthroscopic knee surgery

The Canadian Press 2 minute read Friday, Nov. 21, 2025

WINNIPEG - Winnipeg Jets star goaltender Connor Hellebuyck will be out four to six weeks to undergo an arthroscopic procedure on his knee, the NHL team announced Friday.

Hellebuyck is 8-6-0 with a 2.51 goals-against average and .913 save percentage this season for the Jets, who entered a game Friday against Carolina in third place in the Central Division.

Jets coach Scott Arniel said Friday that Hellebuyck had been trying to play through a knee injury, and the timing is right to get it taken care of.

"It's been 10 years, he's been pretty healthy," Arniel said. "This has kind of been nagging on him here since training camp. Something we've known about.

Read

Friday, Nov. 21, 2025

Winnipeg Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck (37) guards the net as Calgary Flames' Adam Klapka shoots wide during second period NHL hockey action in Calgary, Alta., Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

Learn more about Advertising solutions

Ontario Hockey League suspends Brampton’s Dragusica for season over slash to head

The Canadian Press 1 minute read Preview

Ontario Hockey League suspends Brampton’s Dragusica for season over slash to head

The Canadian Press 1 minute read Friday, Nov. 21, 2025

TORONTO - The Ontario Hockey League has suspended Brampton Steelheads defenceman Luke Dragusica for the rest of the regular season and playoffs for delivering a slash to an opponent’s head.

The incident occurred late in a Nov. 14 game against Oshawa, where Dragusica was assessed a match penalty for his slash on Generals defenceman Brady Blaseg.

The league says video review showed he also made further contact on a defenceless player.

Dragusica must complete education, counselling and community service requirements as part of the sanction. He will also have to appear before a reinstatement panel before being eligible to return next season.

Read

Friday, Nov. 21, 2025

As goalie problems peak, coach St. Louis says Canadiens have regressed

Daniel Rainbird, The Canadian Press 5 minute read Preview

As goalie problems peak, coach St. Louis says Canadiens have regressed

Daniel Rainbird, The Canadian Press 5 minute read Friday, Nov. 21, 2025

MONTREAL - Martin St. Louis famously said the Montreal Canadiens “puked all over” themselves following a 6-3 loss to the Washington Capitals on Oct. 31, 2024.

A little more than 12 months later, the Canadiens' head coach was feeling sick to his stomach again.

"Tonight, there were moments that made me feel like that,” St. Louis said. “There's just some moments out there tonight that I'm disappointed about."

The Canadiens (10-7-3) lost their fifth straight game — and their seventh in eight outings — as Alex Ovechkin scored a hat trick in an 8-4 Capitals win at the Bell Centre on Thursday night.

Read

Friday, Nov. 21, 2025

Montreal Canadiens head coach Martin St. Louis gives directions to players during third period NHL hockey action against Los Angeles Kings in Montreal on Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christinne Muschi

‘It’s about consistency’: Vancouver Canucks aim to build on lessons from latest loss

Gemma Karstens-Smith, The Canadian Press 4 minute read Preview

‘It’s about consistency’: Vancouver Canucks aim to build on lessons from latest loss

Gemma Karstens-Smith, The Canadian Press 4 minute read Friday, Nov. 21, 2025

VANCOUVER - Head coach Adam Foote liked what he saw from his Vancouver Canucks on Thursday — even if the team came out on the wrong end of the score line.

Vancouver's rough stretch continued with a 4-2 loss to the visiting Dallas Stars, yet Foote praised his group afterward.

“It was probably our best game of the year," he said. "We frustrated them. The second period, we pretty much dominated that period. You could see it in their game. It was good.”

The Canucks (9-11-2) are now 1-3-2 in their last six outings, and still have five players — including all-star goalie Thatcher Demko — on injured reserve.

Read

Friday, Nov. 21, 2025

Vancouver Canucks goaltender Kevin Lankinen (32) stops Dallas Stars' Mikko Rantanen (96) and Jamie Benn (14) as Vancouver's Filip Hronek (17), and Aatu Raty (54) defend during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Vancouver, on Thursday, November 20, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns

Batherson’s deflection leads to winning goal in Senators’ 3-2 victory over Ducks

Mike Digiovanna, The Associated Press 3 minute read Preview

Batherson’s deflection leads to winning goal in Senators’ 3-2 victory over Ducks

Mike Digiovanna, The Associated Press 3 minute read Friday, Nov. 21, 2025

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Drake Batherson scored the tiebreaking goal with 1:58 to play, and the Ottawa Senators held off a furious Anaheim rally after the Ducks pulled their goalie in the final minutes for a 3-2 victory Thursday night.

Batherson was camped in front of the Anaheim net when he deflected a blue-line shot from Jake Sanderson past goalie Petr Mrazek to snap the Ducks’ six-game home win streak.

Nick Cousins and Shane Pinto also scored for Ottawa, and Linus Ullmark stopped 24 shots.

Beckett Sennecke and Mason McTavish scored in the second period for the Pacific Division-leading Ducks. Mrazek, the backup who made his fifth start of the season in place of Lukas Dostal, had 22 saves.

Read

Friday, Nov. 21, 2025

CORRECTS TO THIRD PERIOD - Ottawa Senators right wing Drake Batherson, left, is congratulated Senators' left wing David Perron and defenseman Jake Sanderson (85) after scoring the winning goal during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the Anaheim Ducks, Thursday, Nov. 20, 2025, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Jayne Kamin-Oncea)

Robertson extends scoring streak, Dallas Stars double up Vancouver Canucks 4-2

Gemma Karstens-Smith, The Canadian Press 2 minute read Preview

Robertson extends scoring streak, Dallas Stars double up Vancouver Canucks 4-2

Gemma Karstens-Smith, The Canadian Press 2 minute read Thursday, Nov. 20, 2025

VANCOUVER - Jason Robertson kept his scoring streak alive with a first-period goal as the Dallas Stars topped the Vancouver Canucks 4-2 on Thursday.

Maverick Bourque opened the scoring for the Stars (13-5-3) just 55 seconds into the first period, and Robertson gave the visitors a 2-1 lead at the 7:44 mark of the opening frame.

Colin Blackwell and Mikko Rantanen added goals in the third period, and Jake Oettinger stopped 33 of the 35 shots he faced in the Dallas net.

Robertson now has goals in five straight games and points in six (nine goals, four assists), while Rantanen has at least one point in each of his last five appearances (two goals, five assists).

Read

Thursday, Nov. 20, 2025

Vancouver Canucks goaltender Kevin Lankinen (32) stops Dallas Stars' Jason Robertson (21) as Roope Hintz (24) watches during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Vancouver, on Thursday, November 20, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns

Panthers beat Devils 1-0 behind Bobrovsky’s 30 saves

The Associated Press 10 minute read Preview

Panthers beat Devils 1-0 behind Bobrovsky’s 30 saves

The Associated Press 10 minute read Friday, Nov. 21, 2025

SUNRISE, Fla. (AP) — Sergei Bobrovsky stopped 31 shots, Sam Reinhart scored in the opening period and the Florida Panthers beat the New Jersey Devils 1-0 on Thursday night.

It was Florida’s first 1-0 regulation win in the regular season since Dec. 23, 2017, against Ottawa. The Panthers had a 1-0 overtime win at Columbus last season.

Bobrovsky has 51 shutouts, tied for 28th in NHL history. The Devils were blanked for the first time this season, wasting a 23-save effort from Jake Allen.

Reinhart collected the puck around the blue line, got around New Jersey’s Luke Hughes before beating Allen over the shoulder. It was Reinhart’s 11th goal of the season, and Bobrovsky made it stand up — staving off a flurry in the final minute to seal the win.

Read

Friday, Nov. 21, 2025

Florida Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky (72) and defenseman Aaron Ekblad (5) fend off an attack from New Jersey Devils right wing Timo Meier (28) during the third period of an NHL hockey game, Thursday, Nov. 20, 2025, in Sunrise, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

‘We’re playing our way’: Maple Leafs encouraged by recent performances

Joshua Clipperton, The Canadian Press 4 minute read Preview

‘We’re playing our way’: Maple Leafs encouraged by recent performances

Joshua Clipperton, The Canadian Press 4 minute read Friday, Nov. 21, 2025

TORONTO - Brad Treliving met the media earlier this week to talk about his hockey team.

Among the many points made by the Maple Leafs general manager was that Toronto — at the time a struggling, injury-ravaged outfit mired in a five-game winless run — had taken points from outings earlier in the schedule where a different outcome might have been more deserving.

"Even in games that we've won, we haven't won the game," Treliving said Tuesday before a patchwork roster ground out a 3-2 overtime victory against the St. Louis Blues. "Sometimes we've scored more goals."

The veteran executive, for a change, probably felt the club deserved a better fate Thursday night.

Read

Friday, Nov. 21, 2025

Maple Leafs winger Bobby McMann (74) collides with Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender Jet Greaves (73) in Toronto on Thursday, Nov. 20, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sammy Kogan

Duncalfe ready to continue revenge tour with U15 girls

By Massimo De Luca-Taronno 4 minute read Preview

Duncalfe ready to continue revenge tour with U15 girls

By Massimo De Luca-Taronno 4 minute read Thursday, Nov. 20, 2025

Shayla Duncalfe has had this matchup scheduled on her calendar.

The captain of the Brandon Wheat Kings’ U15 AAA female club is proving thirst for revenge is the best motivator, as she’s more than prepared to get another pound of flesh tonight when her club looks to outduel the Yellowhead Chiefs — who beat them in the post-season last year — for the second time this season.

“They pressure really hard, and they’re really aggressive, and they’re our rivalry team, which is what we like to call them because that’s who we played in the playoffs last year and they knocked us out,” said Duncalfe on Thursday. “Obviously, we really want to beat them, so we need to play really aggressively against them.”

While Christmas may be soon on the way, Duncalfe still doesn’t forget the disappointing outcome from last spring when Yellowhead downed Brandon for good during extra time to close out the best-of-three, first-round series. But a fresh season brings about new opportunities.

Read

Thursday, Nov. 20, 2025

Shayla Duncalfe and her Wheat Kings U15 AAA club will look to extend their winning streak to three tonight when they face off against the rival Yellowhead Chiefs at J&G Homes Arena. (Massimo De Luca-Taronno/The Brandon Sun)

Dylan Strome reveals wife gave birth to third daughter during Capitals-Canadiens game

Daniel Rainbird, The Canadian Press 3 minute read Preview

Dylan Strome reveals wife gave birth to third daughter during Capitals-Canadiens game

Daniel Rainbird, The Canadian Press 3 minute read Thursday, Nov. 20, 2025

MONTREAL - Dylan Strome had much more than hockey on his mind Thursday night.

The Washington Capitals centre stepped onto the ice against the Montreal Canadiens knowing his wife, Tayler, was going into labour.

When he returned to the dressing room between the first and second periods, he learned she’d given birth to their third daughter, Sutton Kimberley.

"There was just so many emotions going through my mind,” he said, with tears running down his face. “First of all, you want to make sure everyone's OK, it's a pretty scary thing. At the time of the first period, I kind of thought I was going to make it home in time, maybe. Obviously, that didn't happen.”

Read

Thursday, Nov. 20, 2025

November 25, 2025

Notification Settings